The Financial Effect of COVID-19 on Local Authorities

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government – in the Senedd at 2:10 pm on 23 June 2021.

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Photo of Rebecca Evans Rebecca Evans Labour 2:10, 23 June 2021

Thank you for raising that important issue. We've been really conscious of lost income for local authorities in particular and, as a result, Welsh Government has provided £190.5 million to support local government in terms of lost income. And that includes lost income from adult social services for which they would normally make a charge, other services such as planning where they might look to make income, services such as theatres, which lots of local authorities run, and catering services, and so forth. So, we worked really closely with local government, and that figure of £190.5 million was identified. And we were able to provide the support there to meet that cost. And we've also provided additional funding for local government to recognise the fact that they have not been able to collect all of the council tax that they would have normally collected as well. So, we've been able to support local authorities in that respect.

Of course, if there is additional income now in reserve, I think it could be an opportunity for local authorities and those local town and community councils to be considering what their contribution might be as we move into the recovery, and what their own local communities are telling them that they would like to see that investment in.